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My Name Is Earl cancelled by NBC

QUIRKY US sitcom My Name Is Earl, starring Jason Lee, has been cancelled after four years.

The show, created by Greg Garcia and co-starring Ethan Suplee and Jaime Pressly, focuses on a hapless loser whose life is transformed by kharma.

It became a popular Channel 4 hit during its first and second seasons but has been criticised for running out of ideas despite numerous attempts to freshen up the format, including an extended storyline involving Earl’s time in jail and subsequent coma.

Lee’s co-star Ethan Suplee, who plays Earl’s brother Randy, confirmed the news to fans via his Twitter.com account on Tuesday (May 19, 2009), while the Los Angeles Times reported the news on Wednesday after NBC announced its Fall schedule.

Suplee wrote on Twitter: “Just got the call that My Name Is Earl has been cancelled. They sure did take their time with that decision.”

Lee is reportedly keen to continue in the role if another network, such as Fox or ABC, can be tempted to pick up the show – but that depends on costs and whether there’s enough demand from fans.

But creator Garcia quipped: “It’s hard to be too upset about being thrown off the Titanic.”

He was referring to the network itself, which is currently languishing fourth in the US ratings.